The Economy of Roman Religion

This edited volume explores the interconnected relationship between religion and the Roman economy from 500 BC to AD 350,using a variety of evidence and perspectives. It highlights the central role of religion in economic activity and proposes new ways of looking at existing evidence.

Format: Hardback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 22 June 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press

This interdisciplinary edited volume presents twelve papers by Roman historians and archaeologists, delving into the intricate interplay between religion and the Roman economy across the span of c. 500 BC to AD 350. While the relationship between Roman religion and the economy has often been overlooked in studies of the Roman economy, this volume uncovers the diverse ways in which economic and religious thought and practices intertwined, from individuals to institutions. Spanning a broad geographic and chronological range, the volume engages with a diverse array of evidence, including epigraphic, archaeological, historical, papyrological, and zooarchaeological sources. In addition to presenting case studies that draw from the rich archaeological, documentary, and epigraphic evidence, the volume also explores the varying and sometimes conflicting portrayals offered by these sources, ranging from discrepancies in the cost of religious buildings to tensions between piety and ostentatious donation. By bridging economic, social, and religious themes, the edited collection offers a unique perspective on a society where religion played a central role in economic activity at both institutional and individual levels. This volume provides a valuable assessment of the impact of this activity from both financial and social viewpoints, offering a fresh perspective on Roman religion that draws upon a wide range of archaeological and documentary evidence, from animal bone to coins and building costs. As a result, this volume not only contributes new insights to our understanding of the economy of Roman religion but also proposes innovative ways of interpreting existing bodies of evidence.

Weight: 768g
Dimension: 240 x 158 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192883537